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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Grandfather not wake up?

2. Why will Matilda's mother not allow Matilda to take Polly's family food?

3. What is the one thing that Mattie vows never to do?

4. Why does Mattie not tell her Grandfather about her fishing experience?

5. Now that Polly has died who is responsible for her chores?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Eliza feel that Philadelphia is the best city for free African Americans to live?

2. How does the author use foreshadowing to tell the reader that Colette may be ill?

3. What do Mattie and her mother argue about at the end of Chapter 3?

4. What does Grandfather want Mattie to do with the money he gives her?

5. Describe Grandfather as he leaves on the wagon.

6. What has Grandfather been doing while Mattie has been recovering?

7. Why does Mattie's mother want her to leave the room?

8. What do some people in the coffeehouse suggest is causing the sickness?

9. How would you characterize Mattie's feelings toward Nathaniel Benson after reading Chapter 5?

10. Where does the doctor suggest that the women and children should go?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At times throughout the novel Mattie and Eliza depend on one another. Look back through the novel and:

1) Describe how their relationship evolves.

2) Discuss the impact that their relationship has at each point in the novel.

Use specific examples from the text to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Eliza and Mrs. Cook. In your essay:

1) Describe Eliza (focus on her physical appearance as well as her personality).

2) Describe Mrs. Cook focus on her physical appearance as well as her personality).

3) Analyze their similarities and differences.

Use specific examples from the text to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

The coffee shop is an important setting in the novel. Discuss the significance of this setting focusing on its impact on plot and character development. Then discuss how the story would be different if the story were set elsewhere. Be sure to cite several examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 687 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample